"She’s lying!" I shouted, clutching the sheets. "There are no texts! There is no man! George, she’s manipulating you! She wants you for herself!"
"Shut up!"
He grabbed my face, his fingers digging into my jaw.
"You will not leave me," he hissed, his eyes dark voids. "You don't get to walk away to some secret lover. You don't get the easy way out. You’re going to stay right here in this house, and you’re going to suffer. You’re going to regret every single moment you betrayed me."
"George, please—"
"George!"
The bedroom door creaked open. Donna stood there, her hands clasped to her chest, her eyes wide with fake concern.
"George, stop!" she cried, rushing into the room. "You’re hurting her! She’s still recovering!"
She grabbed his arm, pulling him back slightly, but her eyes… her eyes were locked on mine, gleaming with triumph.
"Eliza, are you okay?" she cooed, reaching out to touch my shoulder. "I told George not to be so harsh… I just wanted the truth to come out, I didn't want—"
"Don't touch me!"
The rage inside me, hot and molten, finally erupted.
I didn't think. I didn't plan.
I shoved her.
I put all my weight, all my grief, all my hatred into my hands and pushed her hard.
"Ah!" Donna shrieked.
She stumbled back, her heels catching on the rug. She flailed dramatically, crashing into the vanity table. Perfume bottles and jewelry trays clattered to the floor with a deafening crash.
"Eliza!" George roared.
He rushed to Donna, helping her up as if she were made of glass.
"She attacked me!" Donna sobbed, burying her face in George’s shirt. "I was just trying to help! I was just trying to save your marriage!"
George looked up at me, his face contorted with pure fury.
"You are insane," he spat.
"She’s the insane one!" I yelled, pointing a shaking finger at my sister. "She faked those photos! She hired someone to stand near me! She’s been poisoning you against me for years!"
"Enough!" George bellowed.
He stood up, shielding Donna behind him.
"You want to act like an animal? Fine. I’ll treat you like one."
He walked to the door and ripped the key from the lock.
"You’re not leaving this room," he said coldly. "Not until I say so."
"George, no!"
He slammed the door in my face.
Click.
The lock turned.
I threw myself against the wood, pounding on it with my fists.
"Let me out! George! Open the door!"
Silence.
Then, from the other side, I heard Donna’s voice, low and sweet.